Wayne Community College’s Financial Aid office, Wayne County Public Schools (WCPS), and local Kiwanis groups worked together to increase completion rates of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in Wayne County.
Through the initiative, the Kiwanis service clubs awarded $200 to a student from each public high school in Wayne County who completed the 2026–27 FAFSA.
During a ceremony held at WCC, Carlos Cotto of Sunrise Kiwanis, Jack Kannan of Golden K, and Becky Craig of the Kiwanis Club of Goldsboro presented monetary prizes to nine students.
WCC Director of Financial Aid and Veteran Services Katrina Lee said FAFSA completion is required for federal aid and is also often required for state aid, institutional scholarships, and private scholarships.
“If the FAFSA form isn’t completed, students may automatically be disqualified for financial aid without ever being considered,” Lee said. “Each year, billions of dollars of federal aid go unused because eligible students never file the FAFSA.”
WCC’s Financial Aid staff members serve as personal liaisons for Wayne County’s public high schools, another effort to inform students of their financial aid options, answer any questions, and increase FAFSA completion rates.
“Completing the FAFSA may seem like one task, but we know it represents much more,” said WCC Vice President of Academic and Student Services Kristie Sauls. “It opens the door to opportunity, it signals that college is within reach, and for many students, it is the difference between hoping they can go to school and knowing they can attend.”
Heather Winstead, WCPS district military liaison and communications specialist, shared a positive update regarding FAFSA completion. “As a district, we are up 6% in FAFSA completion for this time of the year. That is huge—and we’re not done yet,” she said.
Hunter Hijma, Wayne County health education supervisor and a member of the Kiwanis Club of Goldsboro, encouraged the high school students to continue using available resources that will help lead them to success.
“As a member of the Kiwanis Club of Goldsboro since 2025, I have already been able to see how deeply this organization believes in investing in young people,” Hijma said. “And while many of you may leave Wayne County to learn, grow, and explore, I hope you’ll always remember that you have a home here and you’re always welcome back.”
The award recipients from each high school are:
Elizabeth Gurley, Charles B. Aycock High School
Jenna Honeycutt, Spring Creek High School
Mya Jones, Eastern Wayne High School
Ari Raiford, Goldsboro High School
Ingrid Ramirez-Miguel, Wayne Early/Middle College High School
Joshua Schuch, Wayne School of Technical Arts
Alexis Stevens, Southern Wayne High School
Hunter Thornton, Wayne School of Engineering
Diana Wynn-Bordeaux, Rosewood High School
About Wayne Community College
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves around 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 150 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.